The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and his Education counterpart, Tahir Mamman, are set to address the pressing issue of soaring electricity tariffs in Nigerian educational institutions at the forthcoming annual summit of the Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria (EWAN) scheduled to hold on October 23.

As conflicts between institutions and power distribution companies continue to escalate, the ministers will spearhead discussions, to explore viable solutions to the electricity crisis affecting Nigeria’s education sector.

The summit, the sixth of its kind, will be held at Professor Tolu Odugbemi Hall, University of Lagos, and is expected to attract key stakeholders from the education, power, and health sectors to address these challenges and propose actionable strategies for lasting reform.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) flagged off its campaign for next month’s off-cycle governorship election in Ondo State, with promises to provide free education at all levels. It said free education would commence from primary to tertiary institutions from September 2025 if its candidate, Olugbenga Edema, is elected governor in next month’s polls.

The party held its flag-off campaign rally in Akure, the Ondo State campaign. Edema, who spoke following his presentation as the party’s flag bearer, lambasted Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for allegedly not spending the two per cent Education Tax Fund appropriately.

Edema said the Education Tax Fund amounts to over N2bn and that it could serve as seed money for the planned free education policy of his administration. Edema who ruled out voter apathy in the November polls said Ondo State voters would come out en masse to vote and protect the votes.

The African Union (AU) Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Mohammed Belhocine, has said there is no way the African continent will develop without focusing on technical, vocational education and training (TVET). He said no country could develop without prioritising TVET at all levels of the educational system.

"We are happy to find a government that is willing to give TVET priority and which takes steps to shed light on the issues because we would not develop our continent without developing TVET from the basic skills to the most sophisticated innovative and new skills that are emerging with the development of artificial intelligence (AI), digital tools and digital methods," he said.

Prof. Belhocine said that when he led a four-member delegation to pay a courtesy call on the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, in Accra yesterday. Dr Adutwum said TVET schools in Ghana would not be different from those that were in the United Kingdom (UK) or any other country, adding that those new schools would have everything that was needed for effective teaching and learning.

The Inclusive Schools Education Conference 2024 has officially commenced in Nairobi. The three-day event themed ‘Leading Inclusion and Belonging in Schools’ will be hosted by the British Council from 15 to 17 October.

The conference will bring together policymakers from 14 countries to address the challenges of building high-quality, inclusive schools that empower all students to reach their full potential. It will also focus on key areas, including inclusive education for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), advancing gender equality, and overcoming language barriers in the classroom.

The event will further foster a collaborative environment where international policymakers will share effective practices and built networks for ongoing cooperation. The event’s programme will highlight keynote addresses, hands-on workshops, facilitated discussions, and a visit to an inclusive school in Nairobi, where delegates from the British Council will observe practical examples of inclusive teaching and learning in action.

The World Bank’s latest Africa Pulse report has called for urgent educational reforms across the continent, emphasising the critical need to address systemic issues exacerbated by ongoing economic challenges.

The report highlights how insufficient investment in education and outdated curricula are hindering Africa’s ability to harness its demographic dividend and achieve sustainable economic growth. “Despite signs of a fragile economic recovery, Sub-Saharan Africa remains “stuck in low gear,” with a significant youth population at risk of being left behind.

The latest edition of the World Bank’s Africa Pulse, released on October 14, underscores the pressing need for educational reform as a critical factor in jumpstarting inclusive growth. The report, which marks its 30th edition and is themed “Transforming Education for Inclusive Growth,” projects that economic activity in the region will grow by 3 percent in 2024, up from a low of 2.4 percent in 2023.

The Federal Ministry of Education has announced that the new curriculum for basic education will commence across schools in Jan. 2025. The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman disclosed this on Monday in Abuja, at a stakeholders meeting on the implementation of the new curriculum.

He said the new curriculum would address problems of learning crises and employability. According to him, the new skills acquisition to be introduced would have a multiplier effect by equipping students with 21st-century skills.

“In the last year, we have worked with stakeholders to develop a skills framework that will inject skills right from the latter part of basic education to secondary education. “The whole idea is that, by the time children finished, they should have a minimum of two skills so that they can have a productive life,’’ he said.

University leaders and researchers across Africa are seeking to raise funds from within the continent. In a two-day seminar held at Hyatt Regency in Nairobi, the leaders observed that funding shortfall limits the continent's ability to address critical challenges in healthcare, agriculture, and technology.

To bridge this gap, the leaders urged for a shift from dependence on donor funding to sustainable, locally-driven financing mechanisms. This approach they said would empower Africa to tackle its unique challenges and build a self-reliant innovation ecosystem.

Dr Vincent Okungu, a Calestous Juma Science Leadership Fellow from the University of Nairobi said Africa currently invests less than 0.4 per cent of its GDP in Research and Development, far below the 2 per cent target set by African nations.

The governors of the 36 states in Nigeria, under the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, have committed at least 15 per cent of their annual budgets to the education sector to address the challenges facing school children.

Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, made this announcement after the inaugural International Conference on Girl Child Education, which took place in Abuja on October 10-11. On the first day of the conference, Vice President Kashim Shettima warned that Nigeria will ultimately face consequences for the millions of children who are not enrolled in school.

The Vice President stated “The dignity of the girl child defines every civilization, and today, we are bound by a duty higher than merely observing the challenges before us. We bear the responsibility of setting the tone for this nation, and there is no greater calling than to prioritize the education of the girl child and others.

Zanzibar Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Lela Mohammed Mussa launched the Airtel Africa Fellowship Programme at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) Zanzibar campus yesterday, positioning the islands as a burgeoning educational hub for Africa.

"Zanzibar is becoming an education hub for Africa. The partnership between IITM and Airtel is pivotal in supporting and nurturing future technology leaders," Minister Mussa said during the event at the IIT Madras campus in Bweleo, Unguja West District.

She said the Airtel Africa Fellowship Programme is a vital opportunity for talented students aspiring to excel in the technology sector. "The Airtel Africa Fellowship Programme we are launching today is a lifeline for talented students aspiring to thrive in the technology sector," she said.

A Zimbabwean, CEO of CAMFED, Angeline Murimirwa, has been awarded the Africa Education Medal 2024, one of the continent’s most prestigious education accolades. Founded by T4 Education and HP Inc., this medal recognises individuals who are transforming education across Africa, celebrating their impactful stories and leadership.

Murimirwa has dedicated her career to advancing girls’ education and women’s leadership through CAMFED, a grassroots NGO that tackles poverty and inequality. A statement by T4 Education on Thursday said, “Having been one of the first girls supported by CAMFED to attend secondary school in Zimbabwe, she brings personal insight into the challenges girls face in accessing education.

“Under her leadership, CAMFED has implemented a proven model that enables marginalised girls to enroll in secondary school and thrive, ultimately graduating into secure livelihoods and leadership roles

Chief of the UNICEF Field Office for southwest Nigeria, Celine Lafoucriere, said girls worldwide have limitless potential if given the right support, resources, and opportunities. She made this statement to mark International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, a significant global moment to celebrate girls and amplify their voices and leadership.

She said, “This year’s theme, “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” resonates with findings from a UNICEF analysis, which highlights girls’ courage and hope in facing challenges. “We see girls taking action daily to realise their vision of a world where they are protected, respected, and empowered. However, they cannot bring about the desired change alone.

They need allies like you and me who will listen to and respond to their needs. Together, we can create a future where every girl’s rights are upheld. Evidence shows that with the right support, girls can achieve incredible things, and when they succeed, we all move closer to our global goals.”

The Nigerian Breweries/Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund has donated a digital language laboratory to Keke Senior High School, Agege, Lagos, in honour of Adeola Adefemi, the winner of the 2023 Maltina Teacher of the Year competition.

Speaking during the handing-over ceremony held at the school premises in Agege, Lagos State, the Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Sade Morgan, stated that the infrastructure would enhance the quality of teaching and improve learning outcomes in the school.

Morgan in a statement signed by NB PLC noted that the donation aligned with the corporate philosophy and CSR thrust of the Education Trust Fund through active participation in addressing the infrastructural deficit in our education system by providing much-needed facilities.